Caster glide



1954 M. KRAMCSAK, JR 2,666,943

- CASTER GLIDE Original Filed May 7, 1949 Patented Jan. 26, 1954 CASTER GLIDE Michael Kramcsak, Jr., Bridgeport, Conn., as-

signor to The Bassick Company, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Original application May 7, 1949, Serial No. 92,053. Divided and this application December 28, 1949, Serial No. 135,409

14 Claims.

This invention relates to caster glides, and more particularly to those applicable to tubular metal furniture legs, the present application being a division of my application, Serial No. 92,053, filed May 7, 1949, now Patent No. 2,641,016.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved caster glide which is very readily applicable to an open-ended tubular leg, and which, after installation, will be securely held in place.

Another object is to provide an improved structure of this type, in which the glide is of minimum height and very strong and rugged so as to stand up in hard service.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a glide embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section on line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the relationship of the glide to the tubular leg;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in section showing a modified form of glide;

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing a further modified form; and

Fig. 5 is a broken sectional view showing a further modification.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the glide has a metal base and an upstanding stem integral therewith supporting at the upper end a retainer of resilient material in the form of a shallow umbrella which is clinched to the upper end of the stem and provided With projections adapted to dig into the wall of the leg when the glide is driven into the open lower end of the leg. The lower end of the leg is supported upon a metal washer, which in turn is supported upon an annular cushion of rubber or like elastic material, said cushion embracing the stem and being supported upon the upper surface of the base.

In the drawing, the lower end portion of the hollow cylindrical furniture leg is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and indicated at It, the glide base at I I, the cushion at !2, the metal washer at l3, the stem at I l, and the umbrella-shaped retainer at I5.

The base member H is constituted by a metal disk of appreciable thicknes having a smooth lower surface and a fiat upper surface whose maximum diameter is somewhat greater than that of the floor-engaging surface. The stem M is integral with the base, and at the side joins the base on a fillet, as shown in Fig. 2, and the stem is a relatively thick and squat member to which th retainer is fastened at the upper end of the stem, the connection being between the central part of the retainer and an upper portion of the stem, which is of reduced cross section, 1. e., of noticeably less diameter than the stem body. The shallow umbrella of resilient metal is provided centrally with a hole or aperture 16 by means of which the umbrella is fitted on a shallow reduced neck portion ll of the stem. Immediately below the umbrella the stem is provided with a sloping shoulder portion it running from the neck portion ii to the cylindrical surface of the stem body. The inclination of the shoulder i8 is at an angle such that the shoulder in the assembled position of the glide (Fig. 2) diverges from the under surface of the umbrella at a slight angle, the arrangement being such that, when the glide is driven into the furniture leg, the umbrella can become more arched, and will have ample clearance for that purpose, although, when the glide is installed, the opposing surfaces of the shoulder I8 and the umbrella will be closely adjacent each other, the umbrella being held against downward displacement by the engagement of the rim portion of its hole against the upper margin of the shoulder 18. In the case illustrated, the umbrella is clinched on the stem by providing the stem immediately above the neck portion !l with an extension [9 which is staked against the upper surface of the umbrella so as to hold the latter firmly in place by an enlargement or clinching head on the stem.

Around the stem on the flat upper surfac of the base H is supported the cushion 52, which is constituted by an annular body of rubber or rubberlike material. On top of this body is supported the washer l3, which is a stepped Washer having a lower peripheral part 20 conforming to the peripheral part of the cushion and engaging the lower edge of the leg l0. The arrangement is such that the furniture leg is cushioned from vibrations moving upwardly from the base, or laterally from the body of the stem. To

achieve this, in the particular form shown, the

leg is supported in the manner previously described, and the washer I3 is provided with a sloping portion 2| connecting the peripheral portion 20 thereof with an upper portion 22, the latter portion being provided with a hole or perforation 23 through which the upper part of the cushion I2 is extended, as shown in Fig. 2, the upwardly extending portion of the cushion being indicated at 24. The part indicated at 24 is an upwardly extending sleeve part integral with the cushion which fits within the hole of the washer, and prevents vibrations from being transmitted to the radially inner part of the washer from the body of the tem Hi. Preferably the lower part of the washer conforms to the lower part of the cushion, the cushion being provided with a shouldered middle part, as illustrated in Fig. 2, which is spaced downwardly somewhat from the part 22 of the washer.

The retainer I is provided with a numberf of peripheral anchoring projections adapted to dig into the inner surface of the leg when the glide is installed, so as to hold the glideverysecurely against displacement. The; peripheral portioncof the retainer preferably has the contourshown in Fig. 1. Here the umbrella hastwo squared-off radial sections 25 diametrically"arranged, each having a straight end edge of substantial length and side edges which are at right angles to this edge. On a diameter at right angles to' 'that on which the sections 25 are provided, there are furnished opposite anchoring projections 26, which in this case 'are-V-shaped so that they have .fairly sharp pointed ends adapted to dig intothe leg.

narrower V-shaped inclined-pojections' 28, which extend somewhat beyond the edge of the umbrella body, are located adjacent the: sides of theprojections 25, and extend in an' outward and downward direction. All of the projecti0ns"25,:26 and =28 are located inpartbeyond and in: part within the circle coinciding with the rounded portions 21. Suitably shaped notches or re-entra-nt cuts are also preferably provided-at the respectivesides of each of the anchoring: projections. In the case shown, small notches29 are: provided adjacent the base of eachprojectionfliiyand notches'30are provided at the sides ofa'theprojections 25, separating them from the projections 28 which are-located at the sidesof the projections 25. Any attemptto pull the glide out of the leg causes the retainer to: flatten, which increases its diametenvand this makes'the projections dig deeper into the metal of the tubing .and tends .to' bring the remaining. portion of the retainer periphery intor'contact with the inner surface of thetube 'so-asto provide additional resistance to removal. The'notches associated with the projections extendinwardly with respect to the rounded edges -2'l In this form there is very effective vibration damping owing to'thefact'that there is effective cushioning between the base memberand the member whichengagest the lower'edge of the leg and between'the latter member and-the stem M. Thus vibrations imparted to the base and its stem (integrally joined .together) will not be able to pass into the leg structure.

Inthe' modified form shown in'rFig' 3,-the metal glide body is as above described, but in-this case a plain rubber. washer 3l .is interposedbetween the base! i and'the metal washerBZ. The washer 32 is-similar to the'washer !3, but its aperture 33 is of approximately the samediameter as the stem Hi. In this case there is no cushion between the metal washer and the stem.

In the form shown in Fig. 4, the'leg-engag'ing' cylindrical. part and at the-top, the boss is chamfered in a theresistance to downward displacement.

4 metal washer and its underlying cushioning member are omitted. In this case the base 34 has an upper surface 35 receiving directly the lower end of the furniture leg, and the leg is centered by a centering boss or shoulder 36 rising from the base and integral therewith and with the stem 3'1. The centering boss 36 has a body which is of an external diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the leg tube, this part of the boss being Immediately above this cylindrical narrow area, preferably at 45, as shown at 38, the purpose of this being to facilitate the insertion of the glide into the furniture leg.

The'form shown in Fig. 5 is the same as that shown in Fig. 4 except for the fact that the umbrella, instead of being held in place by staking, is theld-inplace by a hollow portion of the stem which is curled over. In this case the upper end of'the stem has a'flaring recess 39, and the stem is bent. or curled to provide a clinching flange 40.

(It will be seen that the invention provides an improved caster glide which is very readily applicable to tubular furniture, and which, after .installation,'willbe effectively held in place notwithstanding hard usage. It is unnecessary'to provide special means for distorting or separating the retaining member to cause it to diginto the surface of the tube. The structure lends itself to easy introduction of theglideinto the leg owing to the fact that the retaining member is in general of an upwardly pointed formation; and when .ingintegral with the base and short and of comparatively large diameter. The support for the .retainer' is very strong and-rigid, a'lateral thrust upon the retainer being resisted very eifectively.

Displacement of the central part of the umbrella in avertical direction is also effectively resisted. In all of the forms herein shown, the-umbrella is a relatively shallow member perforated at the -top-and having its highest part adjacent the edge 0f :the' perforation, and as this member is shallow its radius of curvature is relatively long. The

- center of the arc of the umbrella is not only below the edge of the furniture leg, but below the level of-the glide in a location adjacent the floorline, although obviously there may be variation to meet different conditions.

Various additional modifications and changes in the-details may be made without departing from the principles of the invention as-indicated by the scope of the claims.

I'do not claim specifically herein the forms shown in Figs. 4 and 5 as this subject matter is claimed in my divisional application Serial No.

338,115, filed FebruaryZO, 1953.

What I claim is:

1. In a'caster glide for application to the lower open end of a hollow cylindrical furniture leg, a

base'glide structure having provision for supporting the leg from its lower edge, a retainerin the form of 'a centrally apertured shallow umbrella of resilient material having peripheral anchoring projections to engage the innersur- .face of the leg, and a stem structureclinching the umbrella adjacent its center between fixed upper and lower clinching surfaces and supporting it from the base structure, said retainer having a body with rounded edge portions between said projections, certain of said projections being provided with square corners and others being substantially V-shaped.

2. In a caster glide for application to the lower open end of a hollow cylindrical furniture leg, a base glide structure having provision for supporting the leg from its lower edge, a retainer in the form of a centrally apertured shallow umbrella of resilient material, and a stem structure clinching the umbrella adjacent its center between fixed upper and lower clinching surfaces and supporting it from the base structure, said retainer having a body with rounded edge portions and a pair of diametrically located projections extending laterally beyond said edge portions and provided with parallel sides and another pair of projections which are V-shaped and extend laterally beyond said edge portions.

3. In a caster glide, a base structure adapted to support the lower end of a hollow cylindrical furniture leg, an umbrella-like retainer of resilient material having peripheral projections adapted to engage the inner surface of the leg, and a stem having an upper end portion of reduced diameter clinched to the retainer and having its other end integrally connected to the base structure, said stem having a body underlying a substantial portion of said retainer and presenting a sloping shoulder of substantial width diverging from the retainer in a lateral and outward direction.

4. In a caster glide, a base structure, a stem rising from said base structure and having a substantially cylindrical body with an upwardly sloping shoulder at the upper end leading to a neck of reduced diameter, and an umbrella-like retainer of resilient material having a central aperture by which it is fitted about said neck, said retainer being clinched to the stem by a portion of the stem above the neck.

5. In a caster glide, a base structure, a stem rising from said base structure and having a substantially cylindrical body with an upwardly sloping shoulder at the upper end leading laterally and upwardly a substantial distance to a neck of reduced diameter, and an umbrella-like retainer of resilient material having a central aperture by which it is fitted about said neck, said retainer being clinched to the stem in a fixed axial position by a portion of the stem above the neck, said sloping shoulder diverging from the under surface of said retainer so as to permit substantial decrease of the retainer diameter by downward bending of the retainer incidental to insertion into the leg.

6. In a caster glide, a base of metal, a stem rising integrally from the base, an umbrella-like retainer of resilient material connected to the upper end of the stem in a fixed axial position and deformable by insertion into the leg, a rubber cushion of annular formation embracing the stem and supported upon the upper surface of '16 metal base, and a leg-supporting washer supported on the cushion at its peripheral part and having an upwardly spaced perforated portion through which the stem extends, said base having a diameter at least as great as said cushion and said washer, and said upper perforated portion of the washer having contact with the stem embracing portion of the rubber cushion and cooperating therewith to center the glide in a hollow leg supported on the peripheral part of the washer.

7. In a caster glide, a base, a stem rising from the base, an umbrella-like retainer of resilient material connected to the upper end of the stem, a rubber cushion of annular formation embracing the stem and supported upon the upper surface of the base, and a leg-supporting washer supported on the cushion at its peripheral part and having an upwardly spaced perforated portion through which the stem extends, said rubber cushion having a sleeve part extending between the upper part of the washer and the stem so that vibrations imparted to the stem are not transmitted to the washer.

8. In a caster glide, a metal base adapted to slide on the floor, a stem rising from the base, a retainer on the stem adapted to engage the inner surface of a hollow furniture leg, a legsupporting washer for engaging the lower edge of the leg, and cushioning means interposed between the washer on the one hand and the stem and base on the other hand whereby vibrations imparted to the stem and base portions of the glide are prevented from reaching the leg.

9. A caster glide as defined in claim 8, in which the stem is integral with the base.

10. A caster glide having a base adapted to support the lower end of a tubular leg, a washer supported above the base and adapted to engage the lower end of the leg, a dished retainer for engaging the inner surface of the leg, a stem interconnecting said base and retainer passing with clearance through said washer, and cushioning means between the stem and the washer for inhibiting the transmission of vibrations from the stem to the washer.

11. In a caster glide, a round base having a flat smooth imperforate lower surface for sliding on the floor, a stem rising from said base, and a round umbrella-like retainer of resilient material connected to the upper end of said stem in a fixed axial position and having peripheral projections adapted to bite into the inner surface of the le and deformable so as to contract its diameter by insertion into the leg, said stem being of substantially increased diameter below said retainer near the summit of the retainer so as to underlie a substantial portion of the retainer area and being cut away in the underlying portion to clear the retainer and permit a substantial decrease in the diameter of the retainer upon insertion into the leg.

12. In a caster glide, a base structure adapted to support the lower end of a hollow cylindrical furniture leg, a round umbrella-like retainer of resilient material having peripheral projections adapted to engage the inner surface of the leg and having a central aperture, and a stem connected at one end to the base structure and having a body portion of substantially greater diameter than said aperture, said stem having a neck of substantially the same diameter as said aperture and of substantially the same depth as the retainer over which neck the retainer is fitted by means of its aperture, the stem being provided with a sloping portion of substantial width extending from the lower end of said neck to the side surface of the stem body and diverging from the retainer, and said stem having a portion integral therewith above said neck whereby the retainer is tightly clamped in place on the stem.

13. In a caster glide, a round umbrella-like retainer of resilient material centrally apertured and having peripheral projections adapted to bite into the inner-surface of thelegend-deformable so as to contract its diameter :by insertion into the leg, an upstandingstem having adj ace-ht the upper end: a' neck portion of a predetermined diameter engaged in the 'central -aperture- 'of said retainer, the stem being of substantially increased diameterbelow the retainer-near the summit of the retainer and-being: cut away-in the'im-me'diately underlying porti0n-to=c1ear the retainer upon insertion of the letainer into-the'leg,- the upper extremity of the stem: being-staked-tohol-d the retainerin fixed axial-positiononsaid'neek portion, anda base having'a smoothsubstantially flat bottom and having a substantially: flat upper face the peripheral portion of which acts as a support for the 'leg,said stem being located at the upper central part of" said base and beingintegral with said 1 base.

-14.- In a caster g1ide,--a'-base,"a stem'risingin- "tegrally from the base,-a retainer-in the form-of a shallow umbrella of resilient materiaicentrally apertured and peripherally engageable with-the aaeaeais extends downwardly-andoutwardly: therefrom at a:s1ight :angle to theretainer and an integral ;part above the neck by which the retainer is engaged-and.-tightly'heldin-place, whereby a decrease-intheretainer diameter is permitted and yet sufficient support is provided for the retainer -uponinsertion-thereof into'the furniture leg.

IMICHAEL KRAMCSAK, JR.

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